Thanksgiving!

We have started a tradition in our family.....it has been years that we have done the same thing every year....actually since I was a kid.   Thanksgiving and Christmas was always at my parents home.  Unfortunately, when my mom passed that all ended.  We tried to keep it up, but then when dad passed it was definately over.  We sibling just kept to ourselves and our own families.  Well, now that has ended.....yeah!  We had the best Thanksgiving!  My nieces and their families came over and our friends also stopped by.  We all shared in making the meal....yummy!  The guys had their fun with the guns and watching the game.   We made gingerbread houses and cookies with the kids.  This actually was our second year.  So glad to be back together with my extended family.
So what do you do on Thanksgiving?  Any traditions?

Smells of the Season

The house is full with the smell of Thanksgiving and Christmas coming.....looking forward to family and friends for this Thanksgiving.  We have had many quiet ones but this year we will be a full house.  That just warms my heart.  Now, don't get me wrong I like the quiet ones too, but now that my boys are all grown up, I miss the sounds of children at this time of year.  So happy to have nieces and their children, and making this a tradition each year.  Cooking, eating, clean up, making gingerbread houses,  dessert, more clean up and lots of love and laughter.
We have so much to be thankful for this year, as we do every year.   We missed Sandy, but, we will see what the snows of winter bring.
I love to go out this time of year and greet people with love and smiles and a hello.  It get so busy we forget to greet each other....so when you are out greet someone with love and kindness, and a huge smile like you mean it.
My favorite smells are pine candles burning, good home cooking.  My favorite sounds are the timer going off to take something delectable out of the oven, christmas music, family and friends.
So what are your favorite smells, sounds  and family traditions?

Be strong and courageous

Just as God commanded Joshua, we are to be strong and courageous.

Be careful to obey God's Word, meditate on it day and night.
  
Hide His word in your heart that you might not sin against Him.
  
                            Be strong!  
                        Be courageous!  
                        Don't be afraid!  
             God is with you wherever you go!  
                            Trust Him!  
                          Believe Him!